Checking on Chargers depth

This time last year, roster depth seemed a scary area for the Chargers.

Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy came up with several improvements.

New line coach Joe D'Alessandris prepared blockers to play multiple positions, which paid off when injuries prompted shuffling. Undrafted rookie Jahlee Addae became helpful at safety and special teams. Late in the preseason Telesco acquired useful players such as Seyi Ajirotutu, Sean Lissemore, Richard Marshall (an upgrade on Derek Cox) and Reggie Walker. In October, Telesco claimed Lawrence Guy.

Do the Chargers have such a passer in Kellen Clemens? I think they do. The Rams went 4-5 with him last season after Sam Bradford tore up his knee.

Kirwan ranks the Seahawks and the Bengals as the deepest teams, followed by the Redskins, Bucs, Dolphins, Eagles and 49ers. I'm not sold on the Redskins' talent, though quarterback Kirk Cousins is a fine backup. Also, I'd put the 49ers third.

How deep are the Chargers? Following, I answer Kirwan's questions.

• Does your team have a real swing offensive tackle, a guy that can play left or right tackle and has experience?

Answer: Mike Harris is a "real swing tackle" who's started on both sides since arriving as an undrafted rookie in 2012. Coming off last October's season-ending ankle injury, he sat out the recent 12 practices. He's noticeably fitter than in '12.

• Does your team have a solid inside offensive lineman that can play guard or center?

Answer: Rich Ohrnberger has started at both spots, and rookie Chris Watt worked at center and right guard in spring camp. In the playoff win at Cincinnati, Ohrnberger played three quarters after replacing the concussed Nick Hardwick. He's a quick thinker whose size limitations showed up some at guard.

• Is there a quality second running back that can deliver a 100-yard rushing day if he had to start?

Answer: Donald Brown twice rushed for 100 yards in his five-year Colts career, going for 129 against the Jaguars in 2010 and 161 a year later versus the Titans. Telesco signed him in March.

• Is there a good second tight end on the roster?

Answer: Ladarius Green, the understudy to Antonio Gates, averaged 22.1 yards over 17 catches last season and caught a TD pass in the Wild Card victory. Green, a 6-foot-6 speedster, improved quite a bit as a blocker last season.

• Can the third wide receiver step up and start in the two-WR packages if a starter went down?

Answer: Vincent Brown, dropped into the No. 3 (outside) spot by Malcom Floyd's recent return from injury, enters his fourth season and had 41 catches for 472 yards with a TD last year.

• Does your team have a designated pass-rush specialist who could play the early downs if need be?

Answer: To be determined. Dwight Freeney, 34, is coming off a season-ending tear of a quad tendon. Jerry Attaochu is a rookie who set Georgia Tech's career sack mark. Second-year player Tourek Williams looked improved but needs to develop his pass-rush moves. Cordarro Law, his team's sack leader in the Canadian league, worked at end and linebacker this spring. Thomas Keiser's offseason arrest was concerning. Larry English has 11 career sacks in five seasons.